Flying fish is one of the most interesting fish that can be seen jumping out of the sea. There are about 64 species of flying fish around the world. They live in all of the oceans, particularly in tropical and warm subtropical waters. They are commonly found in the top layer of the ocean to a depth of about 200 meters.
The flying fish actually don’t have the ability to fly like a birds, but they jumped up and glide through the air for short distances. They have pectoral fins that have similar function to the birds wings. When flying fish are in danger, they speed up under the water by wagging their tails and keeping their fins close to the body. Then they spread their wings and leap into the air, gliding for around 45 seconds. Once in the air, their rigid "wings" can make them glide up to 200 meters. The main reason for this behavior is believed to be escape from predators. Flying fish can be up to 18 inches long, but average 7 to 12 inches. They eat a variety of foods, but plankton make up a large portion of their diet, and sometimes small crustaceans. Average life of this species is up to 5 years. Although flying fish gliding ability helps them to escape from sea predators, but once they fly into the air, they become the target of seabirds.
The flying fish actually don’t have the ability to fly like a birds, but they jumped up and glide through the air for short distances. They have pectoral fins that have similar function to the birds wings. When flying fish are in danger, they speed up under the water by wagging their tails and keeping their fins close to the body. Then they spread their wings and leap into the air, gliding for around 45 seconds. Once in the air, their rigid "wings" can make them glide up to 200 meters. The main reason for this behavior is believed to be escape from predators. Flying fish can be up to 18 inches long, but average 7 to 12 inches. They eat a variety of foods, but plankton make up a large portion of their diet, and sometimes small crustaceans. Average life of this species is up to 5 years. Although flying fish gliding ability helps them to escape from sea predators, but once they fly into the air, they become the target of seabirds.
